-
My Birth
My name is Xu Lang, I was born June 24, 1836 in a small vilage in China. I was born into great poverty. We lived in small cramed apartments and had very little to eat. Our emperor is a crule man who takes joy in out suffering, while he eats chicken and dumplings all day. When I was 15, my parents had heard of a country called America. "The land of opportunity", where everyone is rich, and has money to burn. So, we set off for America. -
Journey
We sold out shop to some wealthy investers, then we boarded a huge boat to America. It was about six weeks untill my birthday. We couldn't aford four tickets, even with the money from the shop. So, we got odd jobs around the ship. I was working in the kitchen washing dishes, while Mom and Pop worked in the luandry room. The Captain said that we will be on the boat for about three weeks. I have discovered, that I hate boats. -
Ariving
Angel Island, is huge. It is bigger than the Emperor's palace. We waited eagerly, as the boat pulled up to the large docks. I couldn't wait, this was a whole new beging for us. A chance to start over and live a rich life. My parents were so excited they practicaly hopped off the boat. -
Inside Angel Island
Inside the main unit of Angel Island we where told to take all of our clothes off so that they could check us over. We moved down a line like a conveyor belt. Doctors poked and proded at us to make sure we didn't have any deformities or diseases. They opened our mouths and inspected our teeth and gums. Eventually we got dressed again and went to go get something to eat. We were only in America for an hour and already I thought it was strange. -
The Man In The Funny Suit
The second day we were at Angel Island an man in a funny suit came up to us. He had a really funny accent and a big top hat. He told us that he would find us jobs and a place to live if we voted for the political party he told us to. We readily agreed, it was hard to find jobs and homes. We didn't care who won the election. It was the perfect oppertuity. -
Our "Home"
My father and I work building new sky scrapers. It is dangerous and scary, we work several stories above the city streets. I have slipped several times and have almost plummeted to my death on a couple of occassions. We live in a small dirty apartment that we share with another family. Our neighborhood is disgusting and filled with bile and crime. I want to go home. -
America
It has been about two years now since we have moved to America. Our living conditions have not changed. We still live in a slum with little food. It is no diffrent than from living in China. I wrote these diary entries to share my experiences with my family.
I'm telling you, just stay in China.
